This blog is a conglomerate of 2 and half weeks of traveling since West Yellowstone. We've been traveling and staying 1-3 nights in each spot. Doing lots of sightseeing and moving on so haven't had time to blog. This was in southern Idaho "Craters of the Moon". The remains of an ancient volcano. Drive through area and lots of trails and places to get out and look around.
We walked up a large dormant volcano. It looks smooth and flat, but is actually like walking on chunks of coal (cold coal) so it crunchs under your feet. Pretty steep climb. there was a flat top with some shrubs growing at the top. Great view. Saw a dormant smaller volcano with a large crevious in center. At 93 degrees outside it still had snow in the bottom, never sees the sun.
We moved on the Twin Falls Idaho. This bridge is the number one base jumping bridge in the world. Saw 3 people jump off, free fall, and then open a small parachute - landing on the flat areas next to the Snake River. Saw the large man made dirt jump that was built for Evil Kneivel to jump the Snake River in the 70's. Still there but privately owned so couldn't walk near it. Met a retired Hwy Patrol officer that worked the event. He said it was a mess and the town
got destroyed by all the visitors. They weren't prepared and never
figured on all the crouds. Ended up costing the city 2million in damage and losses. So finally we come to the cities name sake. The Falls. absolutely beautiful and pictures could never show it, but God gave us a rainbow so we'll take the beauty!
Cruzin' from Idaho through Oregon we see there are trees left in this country. Many, many, many trees. Oregon east is full of trees and lower rolling mountains. The middle is flat and desert like. The West is huge mountains, trees, and the beautiful ocean. Definitely a state we will have to return to see. Stopped 1 night in the parking lot of Beaver Motor Coach. We saw were our coach was born. They don't make them anymore but toured repair shop. The onto AM Solar in Springfield (East Eugene) to get our solar panels checked out and learn a bit more about them. Ended up staying 2 nights in their parking area and getting 2 more solar panels. Now we have 8. Hopefully enough to keep us going when we don't have shore power. Great people and awesome hosts. Met another full time couple that stayed too. Solar is the way to go.
San Rosa California is the home of Charles M Schulz Museum - otherwise known as the creator of Peanuts cartoons. We toured the museum and the ice hockey rink that he was very involved in. Originating in Minnesota Mr Schulz couldn't live without hockey. I paid Lucy an extra nickel to help Randy out!!!
The rooftop you see is the "home" that was built in the 1940's that was a lookout for Japanese enemy troups that may continue past Pearl Harbor and threaten our west coast. They don't have tours anymore but still neat to see history. there was a plaquerd with information to read. Love learning about WWII. We stayed 2 nights in Klamath California - heart of the Redwood National Forest. Not a fun, windy road to take the motorhome on, but the expert driving (Randy) did great. Did overheat the front brakes once, but we've learned since how NOT to do that. Those roads are deceiving in their hills.
Paul Bunyon and Babe the blue ox great you at the Klamath Mystery of the Trees museum. Lots of Indian artifacts. Tram ride through the redwoods and the best was a trail walk through them and all the wood carvings that an artist did from redwoods. Like 20 foot squirrel, 12 foot mosquito, people, ect. Just blew my mind the first few giant redwoods we saw. Again another thing that pictures just can show.
Trinidad California is this tiny town but has a gorgeous lighthouse and ocean view. Walked down to the beach and saw seals hanging out just sunning. then we had to walk the 100+ steps back up, Oh Yah!!
this was Randy driving the motorcycle through the "drive through tree". There are, I think 4 of these trees throughout California and we saw 3 of them. Not only are Redwoods wide, they are tall - up to 350 feet and width varies up to 60 feet diameter. They live thousands of years. Some have up to 30 inches of bark, outer protection. They are resilient to fire and most diseases. There center is dead so even a mammoth tree can live if it is hollowed out.
Trying to give you perspective on this one gigantic redwood and out Trail Blazer. some of it's branches were 6 feet in diameter. Just so big.
Driving through the Sonoma and Napa valley is vineyard after vineyard. Saw Francis Ford Coppola's vineyard. Didn't stop but saw the sign. Lots of mobile homes to huge Tuscan mansions in the midst of the acres. Beautiful area. Even golfed with vines on each side of the fairway. Lots of grapes, but didn't taste. Too aftraid I'd end up on America's Most Wanted.
Next we ventured into Yosemite National Park. We are staying just outside the park in a campground. Found out the mountains are not good for cell phones, internet, or satellite - as we have none. We are entering this blog sitting on a bench on the Groveland Library porch. Groveland is the closest city to our campground and it's 20 miles away. We attended Church in the Park so stayed in town to use the free library internet. Love those libraries. Church was great too, Bible based and simple community church. We will attend there all 3 weeks we are in the area.
